Energy aspects of Eucalyptus saligna wood in a seven-year-old plantation

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize the energy parameters of wood and energy production from a seven-year-old experimental plantation of Eucalyptus saligna. For this purpose, information was collected from an experimental planting spaced at 3.0 m x 3.0 m in Chapadão do Sul, MS, Brazil. Values were obtained for the diameter and height of the trees, which were felled and rigorously cubed to obtain the volumes of wood. Wood and plantations were characterized in relation to: proximate chemical, calorific value, wood basic density and annual production of wood and energy. Trees and planting were able to yield satisfactory estimates of energy production in relation to annual wood production. The immediate chemical composition of the wood was 82.85%, 17.07% and 0.08% for volatile materials, fixed carbon and ash, respectively. The evaluated woods can be classified as medium basic density, and can be recommended for use with energy purposes. Therefore, the evaluated E. saligna woods showed results that characterize these materials as suitable for energy use, with potential for the production of energy forests. In this way, they can meet the demands of forest biomass for this purpose.